The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-06-08
THE NATIONAL DR1LL-RETURN OF THE

THE NATIONAL DRILL--RETURN OF THE
VIslToRs.
In yesterday issue we mentioned the
return Of Adi't Genl Jones and the 9th
er gentlemen and ladies who visited
Washins'"a city to witneas the great ma
ti"n::l nI:limry display,
a PHEASANT mrningE chat with Gen
Jose> pu's lis in POSSESSION of ulany inte.
restiny prints. Many II these arc alrca.
dy i'll possession of tho public, and we
do not propose to repeat them. But tie
position of Gen. Jones was prominent
one, ond his opinions and observations
carry weight with them.
Speaking of the reEults, he says. 80 far
from being failure, the success in the
object aimed at was complete. IIntoward
weather, interrupting daily the exercises
on the field reduced the attendance very
largely; and as projectors of the enter.
prize depended largely upon entrance
fees for their revenue, they lost money
but as nationalEdemonstration ,inwhich
the efficiency Of the citizen soldier
was to be tested in very severe ordeal,
it was satisfactory. 1t is true that the
great State OF New York was net repres-
ented because of its supercilious idea Of
its own unapproachable superiority; and
Pennsylvania was absent because of the
soreness still felt from the failure of O
like enterprise on its own soil; and Mas.
sac'use ts was not there from lack of in
terest, or not enough money in it. But
all sections were represented by their
best men.
The test of merit was decided by the
highest military authorities in the land.
They were warm in their approval, and
did not hesitate tn say that in drill,
movement and soldieriy qualities, the
best companies of this volunteer service
surpassed the best companies in the re-
gular army. They were especially sur
prised at the military proficiency of the
officers, whose knowledge of tactics and
promptneSs of movement was hardly to
be expected from men whose daily duties
were not hose of the camp OF field.
There were the soldiery of Ohio, Wis
consin, Michigan, thenen of Rhode Is
land and Maine, Of Kentucky and Louis
ana, OF North Carolina, Virginia and
Maryland. besides those of the District;
there were troops from the Western
States also; and the whole composed a
body of American troops without sug-
gestion dissection about them, fraterniz-
ing in the camp, combined in the drill
and in the march, and all feeling that
they were the toldieIs of one great peo.
pie, ready always to assert or defend q
common cause.
This much good has come out of the
enterprise; to be followed, we think by
others on q more expanded scale, and
under the provision and direction of the
general government.
All agree that it was most splendid
exhibit, fit were nothing more. The
splendor of the uniform, the perfec:nesl
Of drin, the precision of movement, the
excellence of discipline made up q spec.
tacle not always attainable in t,ms oi
peace.
The awards were made by Gen Sher
idan, he giving out the prizes, in money
to the captains of the companies to which
they were awarded.
Gen. Jones had the honor of beinG
placed in conspicuous positions. And
he was entrusted with the ordering and
directing the movements of the trOopl
on the great day of review when they
passed for inspection hef re President
Cleveland.